WASHINGTON — Senior leaders of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) met yesterday with the Executive Committee of APCO International at the association’s 79th Annual Conference in Anaheim, CA, and pledged to continue their close collaboration to help ensure the successful development of FirstNet.
“FirstNet is the best thing that has happened to public safety communications in the last 20 years,” said Terry Hall, President of APCO.
“We look forward to continuing to build on APCO's lead in public safety communications," said FirstNet General Manager Bill D’Agostino.
FirstNet representatives at the meeting included: Sam Ginn, Board chairman; Craig Farrill, Board member and Acting CTO; Bill D’Agostino, General Manager; TJ Kennedy, Deputy General Manager; and Randy Lyon, Chief Financial Officer.
APCO leaders in attendance were: Terry Hall, President, Director of Emergency Communications, York-Poquoson-Williamsburg ECC, Yorktown, VA; Gigi Smith, First Vice President, Police Operations Manager, Salt Lake Valley Emergency Communications Center, Salt Lake City, UT; John W. Wright, Second Vice President, Communications Systems Analyst, Riverside, CA,; and Gregory T. Riddle, Immediate Past President, RPL, Elk Grove Village, IL; and Derek Poarch, APCO Executive Director.
About FirstNet
FirstNet will provide emergency responders with the first high-speed, nationwide network dedicated to public safety. FirstNet is designed to improve communication among local, state, regional, tribal and national emergency services personnel. The broadband data network will help save lives and protect the health and safety of all Americans. It will be built using LTE, the most advanced wireless technology available today. FirstNet fulfills a fundamental need of the public safety community for a single, mission-critical communications system enabling force multiplier effectiveness. Overseen by representatives of public safety, government and the wireless industry, FirstNet is an independent entity within the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (www.firstnet.gov).